Grand Teton National Park & John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway - Frequently Asked Questions (U.S. National Park Service)

1. When is the park open?

The park is open year-round although many facilities, concessioners and roads close for the winter season. The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center is open for permits and information 364 days a year, closed on December 25. The outer highway 26/89/191 is open year-round within the park and east through Togwotee Pass to Dubois. The Teton Park Road is closed to vehicle access from the beginning of November through the end of April depending on snow conditions. During this period, the road is open to non-motorized recreation (skiing, snowshoeing, cycling, walking, rollerblading) depending on snow and ice conditions on the road surface. Seasonal and other road closures and construction information can be found on the Park News page.

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2. How much does it cost to enter Grand Teton National Park?

Your entrance fees help support visitor services, maintenance of trails, roads and visitor facilities, as well as many other projects that directly benefit visitors like you. Entrance fees are $25 per vehicle for seven days for access to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Bikers and hikers can enter the park for $12 per person for seven days and $20 for motorcyclists. If you love visiting national parks, you can purchase an Interagency Annual Pass for $80 for one year of access to most national parks and federal recreation areas throughout the nation. For more information on entrance fees and entrance passes visit the Fees & Reservations page.

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3. Can I bring my pet into the park?

To ensure that you and your pet enjoy a safe visit, follow all pet regulations while inside the park. Wildlife may be drawn to pets and their owners; pets can wander away and may never be found—the park is a wild place! These regulations are enforced to protect you, park resources and other visitors.

Pets are allowed inside Grand Teton National Park, but they must be restrained at all times and are not permitted on hiking trails, inside visitor centers or other facilities. A good rule of thumb is that a pet may go anywhere a car may go: roads and road shoulders, campgrounds and picnic areas, parking lots, etc. Pets must be on a leash and under physical restraint. Pets are not permitted on any park trails or in the park backcountry. Pets are not considered pack animals.

For a listing of kennels outside the park and more information on pet safety and regulations in the park visit the Pets page.

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4. Where can I get information after I have arrived in the park?

There are four visitor centers and one ranger station inside the park and memorial parkway. Visitor centers in the park are located at Moose, Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and at Flagg Ranch in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. The ranger station at south Jenny Lake provides information and backcountry permitting for climbing and mountaineering in the park. Visit the interagency visitor center in the town of Jackson on Cache Street for information on the National Elk Refuge, national forests and other public lands as well as town information. For more information visit the Operating Hours & Seasons page.

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5. What do I do if I have an emergency in the park?

Call 911! There are public phones at the following locations (from south to north): Moose, Dornan’s, south Jenny Lake, Signal Mountain Lodge, Moran Entrance Station, Jackson Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village, Leeks Marina and Flagg Ranch. Medical services are available at St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson at 625 E. Broadway Street and at the Grand Teton Medical Clinic at the Jackson Lake Lodge during the summer.

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6. What wildlife can I see in the park?

Grand Teton National Park is world-renowned for its wildlife viewing opportunities. Some of the most sought-after animals that can be found inside the park include: moose, black and grizzly bears, pronghorn, elk, bald eagles, gray wolves, coyotes and bison. Always stay a safe distance of at least 300 feet from large animals; wild animals are unpredictable and can cause personal injury or even death if not respected. For more information on finding wildlife in the park and for guidelines on viewing animals safely in the park visit the Wildlife Viewing page.

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7. Where can I find information about day hikes and backcountry camping?

Hiking information is available in person at park visitor centers and online by visiting the Hiking page. Stop by a visitor center to find out trail conditions, mileages and any closures that may be in place. Hiking maps can be purchased at visitor centers or directly from the Grand Teton Natural History Association; maps can also be purchased at concessioner-operated gift stores and outdoor shops throughout the park.

Backcountry camping information is available at park visitor centers. Permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry and can be obtained at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, Jenny Lake Ranger Station, or Colter Bay Visitor Center. Walk-up backcountry permits obtained up to one day in advance are free. Groups of 7-12 people must camp in a designated group site. Reservations are accepted from January 1 to May 15 of every year and there is a $25 non-refundable fee. Visit the Backcountry Camping page and the Backcountry Reservations page for more information.

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8. How long does it take to visit Grand Teton National Park?

There is a lifetime of exploring to be had at the park and memorial parkway, but if you only have a day or even just a few hours, you can still experience this magnificent place. To travel through the park from the southern boundary of Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park via the outer Highway 26/89/191 takes at least 90-120 minutes not including stops along the way; to travel through the park via the Teton Park Road will take slightly longer.

Wildlife from a small Uinta ground squirrel on up to a 2,000 pound bison can be on the roadways at any time; every year more than 100 large animals are killed causing thousands of dollars of property damage and personal injury. Speed limits range from 25 MPH to 55 MPH in the park and memorial parkway; obey all speed limits for your safety and the wildlife.

There are a variety of scenic turnouts along the road where you can read wayside exhibits and learn about the park. If you have more time to enjoy the park, stop at a visitor center and find out about ranger-led walks and talks or visit the Indian Arts Museum at the Colter Bay Visitor Center. Hiking trails, picnic areas, and concession-operated restaurants and services can be found throughout the park. Raft the Snake River, ride a boat across Jenny Lake, or climb the Grand Teton—there are countless activities that you can enjoy during your park visit.

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9. What lodging and campgrounds are available in the park?

There are a variety of lodging concessioners in the park from dorm-style accommodations and cabins to full-service resort hotels. For more information on accommodations in the park visit the Lodging page.

There are five developed campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park. Reservations are available for some campgrounds for group sites, as well as first-come, first-served. The fee is $17 per night for a site or $5 per person per night for hiker/biker. Jenny Lake Campground is $19 per night. The maximum length of stay is seven days per person at Jenny Lake and 14 days at all other park campgrounds, with no more than 30 days total allowed in the park campgrounds per year. Sites are limited to six people, two tents, and two vehicles (only one vehicle at JennyLake). Larger groups will need to split up into two separate sites and must do all activities (cooking, sleeping, etc) separately.

These campgrounds do not have hook-ups. Water and dump-stations are centrally located in each campground. Two RV park campgrounds in the park do have hook-ups:

Colter Bay RV Park (307) 543-3100 or (800) 628-9988
Flagg Ranch Resort (307) 543-2861

Group campsites may be reserved and are available only at the Colter Bay and Gros Ventre campgrounds. Group site capacities range from 10 to 100 people. The nightly fee is $3.00 per person plus a $15 non-refundable reservation fee. Make requests for reservations starting January 1 by calling the Grand Teton Lodge Company at (800) 628-9988 or (307) 543-3100; faxing (307) 739-3438. Visit the Camping page for more detailed information.

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10. What kinds of activities are available in the park?

Walk through a historic landmark district, view bison sparring from a roadside turnout, float the Snake River—there is something for everyone at Grand Teton National Park. Pick up hiking maps and information on activities such as fishing, boating and climbing at park visitor centers. There are a variety of guide services and recreation concessioners that operate in the park. Or join a free of charge guided walk or talk at a park visitor center. To find out more about park activities visit the Things to Do page.

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11. When does the park close?

The park entrance gates do not close, but hours vary for park facilities, concessioners and visitor centers. Watch for wildlife crossing the roads at dusk and dawn and drive with caution at night; bison are especially difficult to see at night and can weigh up to one ton. Some roads and facilities close seasonally and all visitor centers are closed on December 25.

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